More Asians Americans in public office next year? It’s possible

Whether it’s efforts on the local level or efforts on a national level, there are an increasing number of Asian Americans joining the political ranks every year. Compiled here is a list highlighting certain prominent individuals who may end up representing their communities as well as Asian Americans across America. Keep a look out!

Federal Contests:

• Ed Chau (D), Montebello School board member and attorney
Running for U.S. House
From California, District 42.
Result as of Nov. 5: incomplete, currently 39.3 percent

• Raymond Chui (R), insurance agent/broker
Running for U.S. House
From California, District 13.
Result as of Nov. 5: lost with 23.6 percent

• Congressman Mike Honda (D)
Running for U.S. House
From California, District 15.
Result as of Nov. 5: won with 71.6 percent

• Rep. Doris Matsui (D)
Running for U.S. House
From California, District 5.
Result as of Nov. 5: won with 74.5 percent

• Navraj Singh (R), business owner
Running for U.S. House
From California, District 27.
Result as of Nov. 5: lost with 24.6 percent

• Hank Eng (D), aviation consultant, aeronautical engineer and former Appleton (WI) City Councilman
Running for U.S. House
From Colorado, District 6
Result as of Nov. 5: no update yet

• Mazie Hirono (D)
Running for U. S. House
From Hawaii, District 2
Result as of Nov. 5: won with 69.7 percent

• Charles Kong Djou (R), Honolulu City Councilman
Running for U.S. House
From Hawaii, District 1
Result as of Nov. 5: no update yet

• J. Ashwin Madia (D), attorney and marine veteran
Running for U.S. House
From Minnesota, District 3
Result as of Nov. 5: lost with 40.85 percent

• Congressman David Wu (D)
Running for U.S. House
From Oregon, 1st District
Result as of Nov. 5: no update yet

• Amit K. Singh (R), businessman, electrical engineer and Ron Paul campaign activist
Running for U.S. House
From Virginia, District 8
Result as of Nov. 5: no update yet

Notable State Contests:

• Scott Kawasaki (D)
Running for Alaska House of Representatives, District 9
Result as of Nov. 5: won with 50.82 percent

• Van Tran (R), incumbent, first Vietnamese American elected to California Assembly
Running for California Assembly, District 68
Result as of Nov. 5: won with 53 percent

• Susan Chew (D), incumbent
Running for Idaho State Legislature, District 17-B
Result as of Nov. 5: won with 65 percent

• Swati Dandekar (D), Iowa State House Representative, District 36
Running for Iowa Senate, District 18
Result as of Nov. 5: won with 54 percent

• Raj Goyle (D), incumbent
Running for Kansas State House, District 87
Result as of Nov. 5: won with 67 percent

• Cheryl Lau (R)
Running for Nevada Assembly, District 40
Result as of Nov. 5: no update yet

• Ellen Young (D), incumbent
Running for New York Assembly, 22nd District
Result as of Nov. 5: no update yet

• Nikki Randhawa Haley (R), incumbent, first Republican Indian American elected to a state legislature, first Asian American elected to South Carolina Legislature
South Carolina Legislature, District 87
Results as of Nov. 5: won with 83.11 percent

• Curtis Oda (R), incumbent, first Asian American elected to Utah Legislature
Running for Utah Legislature, District 14
Result as of Nov. 5: won with 64.04 percent

WASHINGTON STATE CONTESTS:

• Leslie Kae Hamada (D)
Running for Washington House of Representatives, District 47, Position 1 (King County)
Result as of Nov. 5: no update yet

• Bob Hasegawa (D), incumbent
Running for Washington House of Representatives, District 11 (Seattle)
Result as of Nov. 5: incomplete, currently 74 percent

• Tan Lam (R)
Running for Washington House of Representatives, District 33, Position 2 (King County)
Result as of Nov. 5: incomplete, currently 37 percent

• Sharon Tomiko Santos (D), incumbent
Running for Washington House of Representatives, District 37, Position 1 (Rainier Valley, Madrona, North Beacon Hill)
Result as of Nov. 5: won with 100 percent

• Linda Lau
Running for Judge Position 5, Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 1
Result as of Nov. 5: won with 100 percent ♦